Smoking device accessory

ABSTRACT

An ember holder for a smoking device for smoking organic matter. The ember holder is comprised of a spirally wound filament that fits within a bowl of the smoking device. The ember holder cradles the organic matter and provides a spiral gas passage along its length that resists clogging from ash and other residue of the combustion process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/322,166 filed Apr. 13, 2016 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an accessory for use with a smoking device, such as a pipe, and, more particularly, to an accessory that ameliorates the deleterious effects of decreased air flow and combustion caused by the consolidation of ash and residue on the screen of a smoking device.

Description of the Related Art

In the smoking of organic matter such as herbal material and some rare and expensive tobaccos, it is found that the draw on the pipe is adversely affected by the ash and residue settling and consolidating on the screen. Known devices such as pipes, water pipes, hookahs and bongs use screens to support the organic matter in the form of a burning ember as it turns to ash during the smoking or combustion process. In addition to supporting the ember and ash, the screen prevents particles from travelling through the pipe and being inhaled by a user.

Although there exists many types of pipes, a water pipe ordinarily includes an upstanding housing which defines a fluid chamber near its base. A bowl is provided for containing and burning the organic matter. The bowl is sometimes connected to the housing by a stem for introducing smoke into the water chamber and the screen is typically disposed in the bottom of the bowl before the stem. The chamber is filled with a fluid (typically water). A mouthpiece communicates with the fluid chamber for drawing smoke from the burning bowl through the fluid chamber. As the smoke travels through the fluid, it tends to be cleaned of any ash that may pass through, or by-pass, the screen and certain other residue, and may be cooled slightly to render it more suitable for inhaling.

A bong is ordinarily quite similar in construction to a water pipe, the principal difference being that the typical bong has no mouthpiece communicating with its fluid chamber per se. Instead, a user communicates directly with the fluid chamber. As the user inhales, smoke from the burning of organic matter in the bowl is drawn through the stem and into the fluid disposed in the chamber. The screen in a bong is also positioned in the bottom of the bowl nearest the stem. Typically, a small diameter air ventilation hole may be formed through the wall of the housing at a level above that of the liquid. This hole is usually held closed by using a finger during initial stages of a draw, wherein after the user removes the finger and opens the air ventilation hole toward the end of a draw to ease the draw as smoke from the chamber is inhaled. When the organic matter burns it turns to ash and settles on the screen and seals off the stem from the chamber to varying degrees. As the screen collects the ash, and other residue of the combustion process, it makes it difficult for the user to draw on the bowl and in severe cases the organic matter gets starved of oxygen and ceases to combust.

The aforementioned screens of the prior art are typically comprised of a metal mesh material resembling a window screen. The screen diameter is usually chosen to fit the diameter of a particular bowl. The wire diameter of the prior art screen may vary from 12 mm to 37 mm and the mesh, although relatively fine, varies as well. The screen is typically positioned in the bottom of the bowl and may be flat or concave (with the mesh sometimes coming up the sides of the bowl). The screens typically fit tightly within the bowl such that as the ash and resin settle onto the screen they get clogged and seal off the bowl from the stem thereby reducing airflow as described herein above.

Accordingly, an accessory that is readily disposed within the bowl of a smoking device to support a burning ember and which ameliorates the deleterious effects of decreased air flow and combustion caused by screens of the prior art is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a smoking accessory.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting combustion of organic matter.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a generally frustoconical ember holder having a length and comprised of a filament having a first end with a first diameter and a plurality of spiral windings having decreasing diameters and extending to a second end having a final diameter with a gas passage formed between each of the spiral windings.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an ember holder that is adapted to fit within a bowl of a smoking device.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an ember holder wherein the filament, the first diameter and the second diameter are sized to adapt to the bowl of the smoking device.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an ember holder that is proportioned to optimize the combustion of organic matter.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is an ember holder that includes a handle portion extending from the first end of the ember holder.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is an ember holder that includes an alignment and stabilization portion extending from the second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a smoking device, in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of a smoking accessory, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates the application of a smoking device, including an ember holder in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an ember holder in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an ember holder in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an article for use with a smoking device that ameliorates the deleterious effects of decreased air flow and combustion caused by the consolidation of ash and residue on the screen of a smoking device.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a prior art smoking device 1 wherein the smoking device comprises a bong. Bong 1 includes a bowl 2 positioned on one end of cylindrical stem 3 wherein both the bowl and stem are hollow structures and may typically be comprised of glass. Stem 3 is disposed through an opening in a side of housing 4 with the bottom end 5 of the stem positioned in the bottom of the housing. Screen 7 is disposed in the bottom portion of bowl 2 and organic matter 8 is positioned on top of the screen and within the bowl. A more detailed depiction of screen 7 of the prior art is shown in FIG. 2 wherein the screen is a substantially planer circular device. Referring again to FIG. 1, and as described herein above, in use, a user (not shown) inhales from opening 9 and causes air to be drawn from the bowl 2 through the stem 3 into fluid 10 and diffuses through the fluid as bubbles 11 and out of the chamber indicated by arrow 12. Once the organic matter 8 begins to combust, by lighting it on fire using matches (not shown) for instance, the aforementioned air flow is comprised of smoke produced by combustion of the organic matter. As described herein before, as organic matter 8 burns it deposits ash and other residue on screen 7 and blocks the mesh of the screen. As this condition continues, the draw to the user indicated by arrow 13 is diminished and if it exceeds the user's physical ability to draw the organic matter will cease to combust. After a period of use the mesh of screen 7 will become clogged and will need to be replaced by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a smoking accessory 20 is shown in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Smoking accessory, or ember holder, 20 is of a frustoconical shape comprised of a continuous spiral of filament 21 having a first end 22 with an outer diameter 23 and closer spiral second end 24 having an inner diameter 25. Ember holder 20 may be comprised of any suitable material including steel, spring steel, stainless steel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, titanium, glass, ceramic and the like. Filament 21 is shown as having a circular cross sectional shape with a diameter 26 but may comprise any suitable cross sectional shape. Ember holder 20 also includes a length 27. Ember holder 20 further includes a generally uniform gas passage 28 formed between adjacent spiral windings, or the pitch of the windings, of filament 21 as successive windings have smaller diameters along length 27. Ember holder 20 may be formed by any known technique depending on material including winding, casting, molding, stamping and the like or combinations thereof. Although shown in FIG. 3 as having a counter-clockwise wind direction when viewed from end 22, it is within the scope of the invention to include a clockwise wind direction as well. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the filament material and diameter, the length, the first diameter and the second diameter, and size of the gas passages may be selected to optimize the combustion of organic matter.

In accordance with the present invention, and as will be explained more fully herein below, outside diameter 23, inside diameter 25 and length 27 are selected to generally conform a particular bowl size and shape. Similarly, the wire diameter 26, inside diameter 25 and gas passage 28 may be selected to optimize a particular organic matter, type of smoking device and bowl shape, among other factors.

Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a bong 30, similar in use to the bong 1 of the prior art in FIG. 1. Bong 30 also includes a bowl 31 positioned on one end of cylindrical stem 32 wherein both the bowl and stem are hollow structures typically comprised of glass. Stem 32 is disposed through a hole in a side of housing 33 with the bottom end 34 of the stem positioned in the bottom of the housing. In accordance with the present invention, ember holder 20 is disposed within bowl 31, and in this embodiment partially within stem 32, and organic matter 35 is supported within ember holder 20 and the ember holder is disposed within the bowl. Similar to that described herein above, a user (not shown) inhales, or draws, from opening 36 and causes air to be drawn from the bowl 31, partially through gas passages 28, through stem 32 into fluid 37 and diffuses through the fluid as bubbles 38 and out of the chamber indicated by arrow 39. Once the organic matter 35 begins to combust, by igniting it using matches (not shown) for instance, the aforementioned air flow is comprised of smoke produced by combustion of the organic matter. As a user draws on the opening 36, the smoke generated by combustion of organic matter 35, generally depicted by arrow 40, bubbles 38 and air flow 39, starts at bowl 31. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, because of the spiral nature of ember holder 20 air is drawn between a gap formed between gas passages 28 and the side of bowl 31, as well as gaps between organic matter 35 and the inside of ember holder 20. As the air mixes with the burning ember 35, it furthers the combustion process and produces smoke. During the user drawing process, the smoke is introduced into stem 32. As organic matter 35 burns it is supported by ember holder 20 and deposits of ash and other residue may drop down within the ember holder but do not block the gaps formed between the spiral gas passage 28 and bowl. In this way the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an ember holder 50 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the features described herein above with regard to ember holder 20 of FIG. 3, ember holder 50 further includes a handle portion 52 shown as an integral part of filament 21 and positioned on end 22. It should be appreciated that handle portion 52 may comprise any shape, fanciful or not, so long as it does not impede the function of the ember holder itself. One skilled in the art would appreciate the advantages presented by handle 52, such as installing and removing ember holder 50 within the bowl of a pipe. Also shown in FIG. 5 is tailpiece 53 shown as an integral part of filament 21 and positioned on second end 24. The function of tailpiece 53 should be apparent by those skilled in the art in that it facilitates the guidance of ember holder 50 into position in bowl 31 and stem 32 (FIG. 4) and works to further stabilize the ember holder within the bowl during use. Handle 52 and tailpiece 53 are not mutually exclusive and may be used separately or in combination with one another without departing from the scope of the present invention.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments and uses of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention, including its use in other smoking devices not described herein, may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smoking accessory apparatus comprising: an ember holder having a generally frustoconical ember holder having a length comprised of a continuous filament having a first end with a first diameter and a plurality of spiral windings emanating therefrom and downwardly along the length thereof, the plurality of spiral windings having decreasing diameters and extending to a second end having a final diameter with gas passages formed between each of the spiral windings.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ember holder is adapted to fit within a bowl of a smoking device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first diameter is adapted to be positioned proximate a top portion of the bowl and the final diameter is adapted to be positioned proximate a bottom portion of the bowl of the smoking device.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle portion extending from the first end of the ember holder.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tailpiece portion extending from the second end of the ember holder and adapted to fit within a stem of a smoking device.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the smoking device comprises a pipe, a water pipe, a bong, or a hookah.
 7. A smoking accessory apparatus for use in a smoking device comprising: an ember holder having a length comprising: a filament having a first end forming a first spiral winding with a first diameter and a plurality of successive spiral windings extending downwardly along the length and emanating spirally therefrom; each of the plurality of successive spiral windings having a decreasing diameter; a final successive spiral winding at a second end and having a final diameter; and a gas passage formed along the length between each successive spiral winding.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the ember holder comprises a frustoconical shape along the length.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the ember holder is adapted to cradle a combustible organic matter.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the ember holder is adapted to fit within a bowl of a smoking device and wherein the first diameter is adapted to be positioned proximate a top portion of the bowl and the final diameter is adapted to be positioned proximate a bottom portion of the bowl.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ember holder is adapted to provide for combustion of the combustible organic matter.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the ember holder is comprised of a material selected from steel, spring steel, stainless steel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, titanium, glass, or ceramic.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a handle portion extending from the first end of the ember holder.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a tailpiece portion extending from the second end of the ember holder and adapted to fit within a stem of a smoking device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the smoking device comprises a pipe, a water pipe, a bong, or a hookah. 